Brooks to start … if healthy

Youth was served at quarterback. Turns out Raiders coach Art Shell doesn’t have an appetite for seconds.

Second-year quarterback Andrew Walter started ahead of injured veteran Aaron Brooks in Sunday’s 20-9 loss to the visiting Kansas City Chiefs. He completed 27 of 37 passes for 226 yards but had two end-zone interceptions, two lost fumbles and four sacks.

After three days of thinking it over, Shell announced Brooks will be his starter in Sunday’s season-ender at the New York Jets, assuming Brooks is healthy enough to play.

Think of it as Shell’s way of holding onto one last strand of hope in a 2-13 season. Walter may be the quarterback of the future, but he clearly has not impressed Shell in eight injury-enabled starts. Maybe it’s his 3-to-13 touchdown/interception ratio. Perhaps it’s those nine lost fumbles, 46 sacks or the NFL-worst 36.2 quarterback rating in the fourth quarter.

Whatever the cause, Brooks will go if his stiff neck is good to go. Players were given a three-day holiday after Saturday’s game, so Wednesday is their first practice back.